BAKU, Azerbaijan – For much of the 2025 Formula 1 season, McLaren enjoyed the serene waters of championship leadership. The constructors` title seemed all but secured, and the drivers` championship was a thrilling intra-team battle between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. The narrative was one of a resurgence, a well-oiled machine operating at peak performance.
Then came Baku. And with it, a low, ominous bass note began to reverberate through the paddock, a familiar tune that whispers of an apex predator lurking just beneath the surface. McLaren team principal Andrea Stella, perhaps with a wry smile but undoubtedly with a knot of concern, openly admitted to hearing the iconic `Jaws` theme. The shark, it seems, has entered their waters, and its name is Max Verstappen.
A Weekend of Contrasts: Precision vs. Peril
Verstappen`s performance at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix was a masterclass in clinical dominance. Pole position, fastest lap, and a lights-to-flag victory – it was a weekend so flawless it felt almost surgical. This was the Verstappen of old, the driver who, in 2023, embarked on a record-breaking ten-race winning streak, transforming competitive battles into processional triumphs. For a driver trailing the championship leader by 69 points with just seven races remaining, such an outing might typically be dismissed as a valiant effort too late. But this is Max Verstappen, and F1 has learned, often painfully, that to write him off is to misunderstand his unique brand of relentless pursuit.
In stark contrast, McLaren`s weekend was a catalog of errors and squandered opportunities. Championship leader Oscar Piastri, usually a picture of composure, faltered dramatically. A crash in qualifying was followed by an early exit from the race on the opening lap, leaving him with a demoralizing zero points. Teammate Lando Norris, while avoiding Piastri`s fate, seemed to miss golden chances to capitalize on his rival`s misfortune, ultimately salvaging a P7 finish that felt more like a concession than a gain. Compounding their woes were tardy pit stops – a recurring theme that hints at pressure points within the team`s operational rhythm.
It was, by any measure, an alarmingly sloppy showing from a team that had previously appeared unshakeable. The collective fragility was palpable, and the psychological impact is likely to be profound.
The `Jaws` Metaphor: More Than Just Points
Stella`s invocation of the `Jaws` theme isn`t merely about the points Verstappen gained; it`s about the shift in perception, the sudden awareness of vulnerability. Just days before, with Verstappen 94 points adrift, Stella had confidently declared him a contender. Now, with the gap reduced to a still considerable 69 points behind Piastri and 44 behind Norris, the conviction in his voice has intensified. “Definitely, Max is in contention for the drivers` championship,” Stella reiterated, underscoring a belief now cemented by cold, hard performance.
Verstappen himself maintains a pragmatic, almost disarmingly humble stance. “Seven races to go and it`s still 69 points? It`s a lot,” he admitted, adding, “Basically everything needs to go perfect from my side, and then a bit of luck from there from their side I need as well, you know, so it`s still very tough.” This is the classic Verstappen approach: focus on the process, not the grand narrative. Yet, his rivals, including seasoned veterans like Fernando Alonso, speak of him as if he operates on a different plane, an aura built on years of extracting impossible performances from challenging machinery.
McLaren Under Scrutiny: Title Jitters or a Blip?
The question now hanging over McLaren is whether Baku was an anomaly or a symptom of title jitters. Piastri`s uncharacteristic mistakes were a surprise, especially for a driver who has been remarkably consistent this season. Norris, despite gaining ground on his teammate, did little to dispel the notion that he sometimes struggles to convert strong positions into decisive victories when the championship pressure intensifies.
Team boss Stella, however, sought to temper concerns, comparing Piastri`s off-weekend to similar events experienced even by legends like Michael Schumacher during their most dominant seasons. “This has happened to pretty much all champions,” he stated, highlighting the difficulty of maintaining perfection. While true, the timing of such an “imperfect” weekend, coinciding with a Verstappen masterclass, amplifies its significance immeasurably.
Moreover, Red Bull`s recent leap forward, largely attributed to a new floor introduced at the Italian Grand Prix, has fundamentally altered the competitive landscape. Coupled with Verstappen`s unique ability to string together wins, this creates a formidable external pressure that McLaren, despite its intra-team dramas and pit-stop fumbles, hasn`t truly experienced for months.
The Singapore Litmus Test: Where the Dream Begins
The next chapter in this unfolding drama is set for the Singapore Grand Prix, a track that holds a rare distinction for Verstappen: he has never won there. It has historically been a challenging venue for Red Bull, a “bogey track” where the car`s characteristics haven`t always aligned with the demands of the Marina Bay Street Circuit. Red Bull Racing adviser Helmut Marko’s comments underscore its importance: “If we are competitive in Singapore, then maybe we can start dreaming. It`s not only high downforce, it`s bloody hot always there, which our car also doesn`t seem to like so much. So it will be the real benchmark where we are.”
If Verstappen were to conquer Singapore, a place where his historical record falters, the “Jaws” theme would undoubtedly swell to a crescendo. The idea of him then running the table for the remaining races would shift from fanciful to frighteningly plausible. His raw talent, combined with a car now performing optimally, makes him a threat that few can match.
Crucially, Verstappen also benefits from a clearer team dynamic. While Piastri and Norris navigate the complex and often fraught tightrope of an intra-team title fight, Verstappen is unlikely to lose points to a teammate. This allows him to chip away at the deficit with greater efficiency, turning small gains into substantial ones over time.
McLaren had arrived in Baku hoping to officially clinch the constructors` championship, a testament to their incredible progress. They leave, however, with a faint target etched on their back and a growing Verstappen-shaped shadow looming large. The championship narrative has irrevocably shifted. The once-serene waters are now disturbed, and as the paddock turns its gaze to Singapore, everyone will be listening intently for that ominous, yet thrilling, tune.
Dominic Ashworth